Loose Parts Nature Play

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Education
**Loose Parts Nature Play**

Building creativity one leaf and bolt at a time.

Join Dr. Carla Gull, educator and mother of four boys, as she talks about getting outside and exploring loose parts.

Latest Episodes:

Math and Loose Parts in Nature Jan 13, 2021

Show notes

Math and Loose Parts on Amazon

Book Pick:

Messy Maths

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Nature Poetry Nov 03, 2020

Show notes

Special episode for the Environmental Education Association of Indiana's Vision 2020 virtual conference!

http://eeai.org/2020-Conference

Listen to a special guest, Indiana Master Naturalist, Jim Carpenter, read his nature poetry. I was mesmerized! Hope it brings you back to dipping your toes in the water too!

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Simple Machines in Outdoor Classrooms Aug 19, 2020

Show notes

Simple Machines Outdoors Podcast:

https://loosepartsnatureplay.libsyn.com/simple-machines-outdoors

Rube Goldberg Machines Podcast Episode:

https://loosepartsnatureplay.libsyn.com/rube-goldberg-machines

Ramp Investigations Podcast:

https://loosepartsnatureplay.libsyn.com/rolling-into-physics-ramp-investigations

Natural Start Alliance Conference:

https://naturalstart.org/nature-based-early-learning-conference

Tinkergarten:

https://tinkergarten.com/activities

Books, Materials and Resources on Amazon

Book Pick:

Cultivating Outdoor Classrooms:

https://amzn.to/2FCaYKG

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Sit Spots Aug 06, 2020

Show notes

Jean Lomino

https://forestteacher.org/

Building Observation Skills with Sit Spots

https://www.oraeyc.org/single-post/2017/12/11/Build-Childrens-Observation-Skills-with-Sit-Spots

Merry Lea NBECE Regional Network:

https://www.goshen.edu/merrylea/nature-based-early-childhood-education-regional-network/

Coyote's Guide to Connecting with Nature

https://amzn.to/2DF0Xev

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Minecraft IRL (In Real Life) Jul 23, 2020

Show notes

Note the children's interest.
Have children show/explain the interest.
Facilitate brainstorming for extension or IRL options.
Group/categorize ideas.
Make the ideas visual.
Do it! PLAY!
Celebrate and document!

Go Wild! 101 Things to Do Before you Grow Up

https://amzn.to/2WJgJf1

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Loose Parts Starts Jul 10, 2020

Show notes

Find items mentioned at:

https://www.amazon.com/shop/loosepartsplay?listId=ZKLGAJ3PMEFW

Grab and go sets/STEM Bins

Individual sized containers

--small tackle boxes

--clear pencil boxes (back to school time)

--mesh bags

--individual plastic bags

--canvas bags when not under COVID issues

Fill the bins

--Break down larger sets

--Consider manipulatives

--use what you have

--rocks

--random stuff

--theme based

--small world items

--arts and craft products

--small cups

--dollar store craft items

--combination of materials

Rotate

--keep the same items with the same child over several days

--rotate out over 72 hours to lessen chance

Clean

--involve children in the cleaning process

--develop a process to do it quickly and efficiently

Store

--accessible

--cart

--at students' desks

Extensions

--paper to sketch/write about what was done

--planning/report sheets

--writing extensions with space for drawing

--examples of art/design/buildings/structures

--reused and combined in many ways

--challenge and extend prompts

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Handwashing Options Jun 17, 2020

Show notes

Handwashing Options from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/shop/loosepartsplay?listId=3S3JLZKB1BQ13

Information and tips from Juliett Robertson:

https://creativestarlearning.co.uk/early-years-outdoors/hand-hygiene-outdoors/

Pinterest board: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/creativestar/outdoor-nurseries-forest-kindergarten/hand-hygiene/

Spatap: https://spatap.com/

Tippy Tap videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gPbKvem-vg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4d1nLpqx0M&fbclid=IwAR2qbq-cwAGxv5G80ywHDnFDpiq6s-PBF1qz6fy55Get2bL5AQ0vXntuXVU

CDC suggestions: https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/hygiene/hand/handwashing.html

Quote: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it best, so here's a direct quote: "Regular handwashing, particularly before and after certain activities, is one of the best ways to remove germs, avoid getting sick and prevent the spread of germs to others. It's quick, it's simple, and it can keep us all from getting sick. Handwashing is a win for everyone, except the germs."

https://www.hap.org/blog/2016/11/handwashing

Book pick:

Hey, Water! By Antionette Portis

https://amzn.to/3fwXiNM

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Online Professional Development Jun 06, 2020

Show notes

Slate School Education Idea Lab

https://www.facebook.com/SlateSchool/

NINPA

https://www.facebook.com/naturepreschools/

NAEYC Leadership Institute

https://www.naeyc.org/virtual-institute

Ooey Gooey Lady

https://www.facebook.com/pg/OoeyGooeyLady/videos/?ref=page_internal

Play Empowers

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1723076201149669&id=326622114128425&__xts__[0]=68.ARADM3Va87XC1jIHlTzOUpXX2757wZl5QxQZcDZLWUTzKrjlXAuYmT_aZT_DAV5yYWs0aG3QNJ9LGjwpowK1A_thmw2NlEFF4mxJLqDKeQxqDUBrcbpbD5QFX2rHNVLkHEXMwOuHJLOYaApH--MB3awuNuQiiVZcc6e5AyJw5cxAqxZPSQShQ1ba_wPxEkXx3AyIzQV7Ttegztwxw1aGOTqTaOgOl6yCHu6eJNSKoaTNpnHbFZO7D0Ibauc4QW42aHLE9KnbvY5z4nFAfjCgnfKrqGxmqBvrSHyaLyuePMLkQBDxckfbpUnZ5mfMmdtZHXbn1hduqchfOqcH0rSHzEre_Q&__tn__=-R

Rob Fox—Active Childhood UK

https://www.facebook.com/groups/545063349033409/

Transforming Challenging Behavior Conference

https://www.challengingbehaviorconference.com/

Low Cost:

Marc Armitage

Nikki Buchanan

7 Day Loose Parts Challenge

STEM Conference

Nature Preschool Conference—online

https://naturalstart.org/nature-based-early-learning-conference

Quote:

One quality of leaders and high achievers in every area seems to be a commitment to ongoing personal and professional development. --Brian Tracy

Book pick (aff link):

Cultivating Outdoor Classrooms

https://amzn.to/30f17CB

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Architecture May 28, 2020

Show notes

The World's Most Extraordinary Homes (Netflix)

Cas Holman, Art of Design (Netflix)

Architecture Loose Parts Post:

https://www.facebook.com/TheVeryYoungExplorer/posts/1110289942676462

Building with Index Cards, Toothpicks, Playdough, and Tape:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/LoosePartsPlay/permalink/3201233149898283/

Books about Fort Building:

http://insideoutsidemichiana.blogspot.com/2019/01/fort-building-story-books.html

Den Making Podcast Episode:

https://loosepartsnatureplay.libsyn.com/fabric-as-a-loose-part-den-making

Book and product picks (aff links):

Rigamajig: https://amzn.to/2XCTq6w

Rigamajig Jr.: https://amzn.to/2XzTJih

Iggy Peck Architect: https://amzn.to/2X7wSKR

(great bridge!)

Iggy Peck and the Mysterious Mansion (early chapter book): https://amzn.to/2zLsqcG

Building Up: https://amzn.to/2XcRqlj

(Loved the real life pictures of buildings, the architect profiles, and GREAT quotes by the architects!)

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Safety Considerations with Coronavirus May 18, 2020

Show notes

Disclaimer: I am not your licensing agent or your state governing agency— please find your recommendations locally and see what might work for your space, students, and families.

Picture of preschoolers in socially distanced chalk squares while outside:

https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/497617-viral-photo-shows-preschoolers-confined-to-chalk-squares-for

Find recommendations at:

CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/guidance-for-childcare.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/index.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/schools-faq.html

WHO: https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_1

Boulder Journey School

Virtual Dialogue Series: http://educators.boulderjourneyschool.com/virtualdialogue.html

Info for Parents: http://educators.boulderjourneyschool.com/covid-19-updates.html

Book for children around COVID 19: https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/09-04-2020-children-s-story-book-released-to-help-children-and-young-people-cope-with-covid-19

Story on social distancing for younger children: https://www.facebook.com/hilltoptotsdaynursery/videos/2520699654864442/